In a letter addressed to distribution partners in Delhi NCR, Airtel said it is “acutely sensitive that this sudden lockdown has also reduced your (distribution partners) operations and returns during April.
“In order to help you tide over this tough time, we plan to extend a onetime support for the month of April. This is done with an endeavour to ensure that your FSE (field service executive) and other frontline colleagues get their basic income.”
Similar letters have gone out from various circle CEOs to distributors (of mobile connection and recharges), and retail franchisees network in other locations.
While sources said that the move is expected to benefit about 25,000 employees of Airtel’s distribution partners, the total monetary outgo for the company on this count could not be ascertained.
“We are all going through an unprecedented situation requiring a lockdown, due to which we are seeing a sharp drop in our business as well.
“This disruption has impacted many categories sharply. In a way we are fortunate that we are associated with an industry that helps keep the ‘lights on’ – thereby, keeping the country connected and people in touch with their loved ones,” said the Airtel letter seen by PTI.
It added that the company is absolutely confident that once the lockdown is over by 3rd May, it will spring back and win in the market place.
